What the Ship (Ep 149): Hormuz Strikes, Black Sea Escalation, Surging Tanker Rates & Ammonia Bulker

In this episode of What the Ship (Ep 149), recorded on location at the XV Trans-Regional Sea Power Symposium in Venice, Italy, maritime historian Sal Mercogliano breaks down the top five maritime stories shaping global trade and security this week: Highlights: ⚓Strait of Hormuz Under Threat: At least 13 tanker and gas carrier attacks recorded in a single week mark a 7-month high. An analysis of whether oil is actually flowing, risk premiums, and the reality behind mariner danger pay. ⚓Black Sea Flashpoint Spreads: Commercial vessels are struck off Romania and Bulgaria, sending September wheat loadings plummeting by over 77% compared to last year. ⚓Tanker Rates Shatter Records: The ClarkSea index hits all-time highs as select VLCC routes command upwards of $1.6M per day amid unprecedented market volatility. ⚓Global Routes Reshaped: From Panama Canal draft restrictions and surging Magellan transits to Arctic container voyages and proposed pipeline routes bypassing Hormuz. ⚓Green Tech Maiden Voyage: The world’s first ammonia-powered bulk carrier sets sail, highlighting both decarbonization potential and critical crew safety concerns. Contact What's Going on With Shipping via: Patreon: www.patreon.com/wgowshipping Twitter: @mercoglianos Bluesky: @mercoglianos.bsky.social Facebook: @wgowshipping Email: mercoglianosal@gmail.com 00:00 - Introduction: 15th Trans-Regional Sea Power Symposium in Venice 00:50 - Story 1: Growing Danger in the Strait of Hormuz & Oil Flow Realities 04:40 - Story 2: Black Sea Security Flashpoint & Collapsing Grain Loadings 07:54 - Story 3: Historic Highs for Tanker Earnings & Market Volatility 10:50 - Story 4: Canal Constraints & Rerouting Through Magellan and the Arctic 13:48 - Story 5: First Ammonia-Powered Bulker Maiden Voyage & Crew Safety 16:26 - Summary & Final Thoughts on Global Maritime Security Vessel Struck by Unknown Projectile Off UAE Coast Amid Surge in Attacks, UKMTO Says https://gcaptain.com/vessel-struck-by... Attack Risks Rise for Tankers as Iran Vows to Block More Hormuz Routes https://gcaptain.com/attack-risks-ris... Qatar Brings Empty LNG Ships Into Gulf in Potential Export Boost https://gcaptain.com/qatar-brings-emp... Large Bulker Abandoned After Attack Drifts Hundreds of Miles in Black Sea https://maritime-executive.com/articl... Black Sea grain exports crater amid widening maritime war https://splash247.com/black-sea-grain... ClarkSea Index breaks 2008 record to reach all-time high https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/tan... Crude tanker stocks surge to record highs as market euphoria abounds https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1158657/... Ships Take Long Way Around as Drought Snarls Panama Canal https://gcaptain.com/ships-take-long-... China Completes First Season of Regular Arctic Container Service https://gcaptain.com/china-completes-... CMB.TECH sends world’s first ammonia-powered bulker to sea https://splash247.com/cmb-tech-sends-...